Are there any restrictions or rules regarding players who were eligible for the previous year's draft? Is it uncommon for a player, preferably out of MN High School, to get drafted a year later than their draft year?

I think keepyourheadup is right.
With skeij and Michaelson being potential 'A' players both playing in the ushl now those are two players that could have been 'A' players even playing four years of HS, especially Skeij.

In addition this is a year where your best players are not prototypical NHL prospects:
Kloos: arguably the best player in the state is only 5' 9". He isn't pierre-marc bouchard or patrick kane but he is a very good high school player who will likely lead the state in scoring again and win Mr. Hockey.
Adam Johnson is only 5'10" again not a very NHL sized forward.
Grant Besse and even Stepan at 6' are short forwards.

You do have the big guys like Baskin, but they aren't up to par with the likes of Bjugstad.

Why isn't Minnesota producing 5-6 A players a year? The ones we have are leaving to enhance their development, that should tell us we have to offer more. I don't think the HS league really cares as long as the hockey tournament fills their coffers. With more and more options for players, HS hockey will continue to regress.

It would be interesting to know the development path of the only American born A ranked player from Connecticut. Obviously a strong player but beyond genetics what did he do to make that list. Or, is playing in one of the top 3 Leagues in Canada (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) one of the not mentioned prerequisites? Are the USHL and NTDP players ranked below because the League is not considered equal? Or, a Canadian generated list?

Why isn't Minnesota producing 5-6 A players a year? The ones we have are leaving to enhance their development, that should tell us we have to offer more. I don't think the HS league really cares as long as the hockey tournament fills their coffers. With more and more options for players, HS hockey will continue to regress.

Mule, I'm not sure I follow. Every kid in Canada that ends up being an "A" rated prospect leaves.

Now more and more Mn hs aged kids are going to juniors to speed up their development and are being encouraged by college coaches and pro teams. 10-20 years ago hardly any player considered leaving hs, now I would say the elite players all look at that option. I would say in the near future, somebody will start a AAA midget team in the metro area. Not that I agree with the things that are happening, but the hockey landscape has changed dramaticly the last 10-15 yrs and hs hockey is not what it once was. With the number of players, facilities and year around training I find it hard to believe we can't produce more A and B list players compared to other states.

Now more and more Mn hs aged kids are going to juniors to speed up their development and are being encouraged by college coaches and pro teams. 10-20 years ago hardly any player considered leaving hs, now I would say the elite players all look at that option. I would say in the near future, somebody will start a AAA midget team in the metro area. Not that I agree with the things that are happening, but the hockey landscape has changed dramaticly the last 10-15 yrs and hs hockey is not what it once was. With the number of players, facilities and year around training I find it hard to believe we can't produce more A and B list players compared to other states.

I disagree, the MN Elite league has done a lot for keeping kids around. There are always going to be the ones who are going to leave, there will never be a time when everyone stays...not going to happen. The elite league has kept a lot of good players around, Bjugstad, Rau, Leddy, Kloos...ect. Why play AAA when you can play 50 games with Elite and HS, i don't buy what you're selling...not to mention AAA hockey is $$$$$$.

Mule I'm sure all of us would like to see more first round picks developed each year from Minnesota. I think in some ways we've become a little spoiled, Minnesota has developed a crazy number of high level picks over the last 10 years. Remember we are talking about the 30 best players in the world eligible each year. I think its more of an ebb and flow thing, for now it seems the cupboard is bare but in just a few years that can all change. It could be as simple as the fact that the 93/94 year classes don't really have much in the way of size. Can you think of any BIG dominant players in these two year classes? I am sure there are a few but almost all our home grown 1st rounders (with the exception of Schroeder) have been big kids.

Far to much emphasis is being placed on whether or not kids leave HS. The high school season is barely 90 days long, most of these kids are playing 365. If they possess the qualities to be selected high in the draft it really doesn't matter where they are playing. Bjugstad, Leddy and even Lucia are perfect examples.

A interesting transition we're seeing with the Gophers is that they are binging in some players as 18 year old freshman but some have gone away for their junior and/or senior years to speed their development as you're suggesting. Not spending a year or two in juniors after high school but spending a year or two in juniors, or NTDP, during their high school years.

The StarTribune mentions this morning that the 3 Riley's are all coming in next season. Mike is a high school senior now but has spent his most recent two seasons away. The same article mentions both Michaelson and Skjei coming in next season as true freshman. Michaelson spending his senior year away and Skjei both junior and senior years away. Boyd and Ambroz are both true freshmen that also have spent 2 and 3 years away. I believe Boyd, like Bjugstad, accelerated studies otherwise he could be a high school senior today. Marshall is a true freshman with one year away. Warning?

Rau, Bjugstad and Budish are the recent exceptions. So, the players coming in next year are not older but they do have more games, at a higher level, under their belts.